Coming out of the All-Star break, the Brooklyn Nets (31-28) host the Boston Celtics (34-26) at Barclays Center Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET as both teams look to stay in the thick of the Eastern playoff race. Below, we look at the Celtics vs. Nets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Celtics finished the first part of the season eight games above .500, but their record on the road was subpar at 14-15. They’ve struggled from 3-point land, shooting just 34.4% from deep, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. The Celtics have been carried by their defense, which has allowed the third-fewest points per game (103.5) in the league.
The Nets traded SG James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers Feb. 10, landing PG Ben Simmons, SG Seth Curry and C Andre Drummond. Simmons has yet to suit up and won’t be ready for this game, either, as he continues to get in game shape after not playing at all for the Sixers this season. He won’t help the Nets’ struggles from deep – they are shooting just 35.1% from the 3-point line this season. Curry has shot well in his three games since the trade, however, making 12 of 23 attempts from 3 and averaging 18.3 points per game.
Celtics at Nets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:07 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Celtics -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Nets +330 (bet $100 to win $330)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -8.5 (-115) | Nets +8.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Celtics at Nets key injuries
Celtics
- None
Nets
- PF Kevin Durant (knee) out
- SF Joe Harris (ankle) out
- PG Kyrie Irving (ineligible) out
- PG Ben Simmons (reconditioning) out
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Celtics at Nets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 116, Nets 105
Money line
PASS.
The Celtics have finally gotten back on track and will be at full strength against the struggling Nets. They’ve won nine of their last 10 games, though they did go into the All-Star break with a terrible 112-111 loss to the Pistons as 12-point home favorites.
Boston (-450) will win here, but the price is too expensive – and risky. We’ll get much better value betting the Celtics to cover the spread.
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Against the spread
BET CELTICS -8.5 (-115). They are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games, while the Nets are only 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10. In the last meeting between these teams, the Celtics blew out the Nets 126-91 in Brooklyn, easily covering the 10.5-point spread.
The Celtics are favored by 8.5 points this time around and the Nets are without Durant, again. Brooklyn has lost 13 of its last 17 games without Durant, including eight losses by at least 10 points.
CELTICS -8.5 (-115) is the way to go here.
Over/Under
The total has gone Over in five of the last six games between the Celtics and Nets, and the Over is 6-1 in the Nets’ last seven games against teams with a winning record.
Brooklyn could struggle to score without Durant and Irving, but the Celtics are playing well right now and should make up for it with another solid showing offensively to help push the total OVER 213.5 (-115).
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